Department of Revenue
Names New Director
Gov. Jared Polis announced the
Colorado Department of Revenue’s
(DOR) new executive director on
April 4. Lu Córdova will replace Mike
Hartman in the position. The DOR is
a large, governmental department
that has about 1,500 employees. It
controls and regulates the cannabis
industry as well as alcohol, tobacco,
gaming, racing and lottery. From
2017 to 2018, the DOR helped
improve packaging and labeling in
the cannabis industry to enhance
public health and safety. Córdova
has a background in ecommerce,
cybersecurity and international
finance, and is the chair and CEO
of CTEK, a nonprofit that helps

CBD Burger in Denver
Makes Fast Food History
Carl’s Jr.® made fast food history on
April 20 by selling burgers infused
with cannabidiol (CBD) at a Denver
location. “The Rocky Mountain
High: CheeseBurger Delight” came
with Santa Fe Sauce infused with
hemp-based CBD oil. Each serving
of Santa Fe Sauce was infused with
5mg of CBD, which was sourced
from Colorado-based Bluebird
Botanicals. To satisfy the inevitable
munchies on 420, the burgers
included pickled jalapeños, pepper
jack cheese and Crisscut® fries
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

worldwide entrepreneurship efforts.
She has held various president and
CEO titles including working at
Euronet Worldwide, an international
payments company. She also sat on
the Board of Directors for the 10th
Federal Reserve Bank. The governor
said in the official announcement,
“We are thrilled to have Lu join our
team. Her vision, expertise and record
of experience make her a natural fit at
the Department of Revenue. We can’t
wait for her to get started.”

directly on the burgers. “The new
Rocky Mountain High: CheeseBurger
Delight ties back to our core
strategy of being the first to bring
bold and unexpected flavors that
are at the forefront of hot restaurant
trends to a quick service menu,” said
Patty Trevino, senior vice president,
brand marketing at Carl’s Jr.® “From
our early introduction into plantbased options to bringing the rare
indulgence of truffles to our menu
with the new Bacon Truffle Angus
Burger, our customers have come to
expect innovative and unique menu
offerings, and we’re thrilled to be
the first quick service restaurant to
be testing CBD infused options.”

Guam Legalizes
Recreational Cannabis
On April 5, Gov. Lou Leon
Guerrero signed Bill No. 32‐35,
or the Cannabis Industry
Act, legalizing recreational
cannabis in Guam. The U.S.
territory will allow adults who
are 21 and over to cultivate,
purchase and consume
cannabis. Cannabis will
be subject to a 15 percent
excise tax, and revenue
will go toward efforts like
drug rehabilitation and law
enforcement. The governor
will fill a nine-member Control
Cannabis Board, which will
set up rules and regulations.
“I have to answer this one
question: Given all the info,
studies done, experiences
shared, advice [and]
anecdotes about marijuana,
what would a responsible
community government
leader do to protect the
interests and welfare of the
community?” Guerrero asked
at a press conference. Guam
joins The Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana
Islands, another U.S. territory
that legalized recreational
cannabis in 2018. In 2014,
Guam legalized medical
cannabis, but a viable
industry took several years to
materialize.

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The number of congressional members who voted in support
of House Bill 19-1028, which added autism to the list of
qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Colorado:
(Source: The Colorado General Assembly)

43

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that
Colorado collected in cannabis sales during the
month of February:
(Source: Westword)

119.4

The amount of area, in
square miles, that the
Denver City Council
wants to open up for
cannabis consumption
at businesses:
(Source: The Denver Post)

The estimated amount of cannabis sales tax
revenue, in thousands of dollars, that the town
of Lamar is using to support anti-bullying
efforts:

2.2

100

The number of states in the U.S. that have
decriminalized possession of cannabis in
small amounts:
(Source: Forbes)

24

The amount of
money, in millions
of dollars, that the
Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada
donated to
cannabis research
in late-March:
(Source:
Multiple Sclerosis
Society of
Canada)

1.5

The percentage of
Mexican citizens who
said in a poll that
recreational cannabis
should be legal:
(Source: Tech Times)

81

The estimated number of
CVS drugstores that will
be offering topical hempbased CBD products:
(Source: Yahoo! Finance)

800

Stoned & Single
WHEN: Sat, May 25 WHERE: The Coffee Joint, 1130 Yuma Ct., Denver WEBSITE: thecoffeejointco.com
Cannabis can be a deal-breaker for some people when
it comes to relationships, so finding someone who loves
cannabis is a must. Event organizers say “find your tokemate at this very special event at The Coffee Joint!” This
donation-based event is LGBTQ-focused. Single adults
are encouraged to join for singles-oriented games and
activities to help find that special someone. All genders and
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

orientations are invited, and no one will be left out. At this
unique venue, consumption is allowed, providing a unique
environment for matchmaking activities. Vaping, edibles and
dabbing are allowed, while due to Colorado laws, smoking is
not. There’s also a dispensary next door if you don’t have any
cannabis to bring. Find your match at Stoned & Single with a
little help from activities that help break the ice.

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17

NEWS

LOCAL

HIGH AT
THE HONEY

Dean Ween opens Denver’s latest
cannabis consumption lounge

M

By Caroline Hayes
usic icon Dean Ween, of the
alternative grunge rock band Ween,
recently opened one of Denver’s
newest music venues, which doubles
as a cannabis consumption lounge.
The Honey Pot Lounge @ VP is located at 1753
South Broadway, appropriately located on
Denver’s “Green Mile” stretch of dispensaries,
funky shops and eateries. The Honey Pot
Lounge fills the space where the Vape and Play
consumption lounge operated for a very short
time back in early March of this year. The Honey
Pot Lounge absorbed Vape and Play’s license
and the two have become one, which is where
the “VP” comes from in the title.
The Honey Pot Lounge launched its grand
opening to the public on April 6 (a members-only
opening was on April 5). Ween, affectionately
called “Deaner” by fans, shared his reasoning
behind entering the cannabis industry in a
statement. “Having traveled (and basically
resided) in clubs, bars and lounges for the past
30 years, I’ve always wanted to start my own
club—a place that specifically caters to my
personal tastes and a public hangout space
designed in my model,” Ween said. “The HPL will
be a geographic extension of my living room,
my studio and my man-cave. Being a man of
impeccable tastes, I feel positive that it will serve
your entertainment needs as well and make for
a great hang. My mission statement and overall
goal for the HPL is to recreate my personal
happy place—rooms where there is something
compelling available to touch, smell, stare at or
listen to at all times.”
So why did Ween decide to bring his
cannabis lounge to Denver? Well, because
Denver is awesome, according to The Honey Pot
Lounge website. Plus, after Initiative 300 passed

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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

Discs-nDabs™ 2019
May
back in 2016, it makes Denver a unique
area in Colorado that allows for cannabis
consumption lounges.
If one thing is true, Denverites love live
music—and cannabis. This is another great
reason Denver was the perfect choice for
this music and cannabis hub. The Honey
Pot spokesperson said in the official press
release, “Dean Ween’s Honey Pot Lounge
started with the Dean’s vision of musicians
and fans coming together, celebrating
freedom, artistic expression, love and
excitement. With the majority of live
entertainment opportunities tending towards
the stale, uninspired and predictable, Dean
Ween’s Honey Pot Lounge @ V&P’s mission is
to create one-of-kind experiences that fans of
all music styles will enjoy.”
For those who are curious about checking
out this new space, there are some important
details to note. Guests must be 21 and over to
enter. There are no cannabis sales onsite, so
patrons are encouraged and allowed to bring
their own cannabis. Consumption devices
like water pipes will be provided, but it’s also
permitted to bring your own paraphernalia.
Bongs and water pipes must show up empty
(free of liquid). An interesting rule is that
guests can’t light their own product, and
torches and lighters are available at the bar
for use. Finally, no alcohol will be sold or
permitted onsite.
The first big event at The Honey Pot
Lounge was called The Puff Ball, which
took place on April 20. The night featured
The Dean Ween Group as well as Color
Red Allstars featuring Eddie Roberts of
The New Mastersounds, Jeremy Salken of
Big Gigantic and Gabe Mervine. Upcoming
events include a comedy night, movie
night, open jam night, a tea party, Saturday
morning cartoons and more.
“[Ween] is committed to supporting and
encouraging the area’s music and performing
arts scenes by showcasing local talent,” the
venue stated.
Considering Ween’s rock star background
and music career success, it’s likely that this
will be one of Colorado’s first successful
cannabis consumption lounges. Upcoming
decisions on proposed hospitality and public
consumption laws could work in favor of The
Honey Pot Lounge. c

Ever hear of disc
golf? If not, now
you have! Now
hosting its third
annual event, Discsn-Dabs™ is back
in Boulder County
for a fun-filled disc
golf tournament on
Friday followed by a
campout weekend.
While golf and
cannabis events
are common, disc
golf events are not.
Disc golf consists
of throwing plastic
discs resembling
Frisbees into metal
baskets, and each
throw is equivalent
to a golf stroke.
Teams consisting of
three people each
will compete for a
number of prizes
including dabs.
The team with the
fewest number of
throws wins the
tournament. To
make it interesting,
one member
of each team is
required to do
a dab at each
basket. This year,
the tournament
takes place on a
new course, which
is consumptionfriendly.
Sponsorship and
volunteer positions
are also available.
WHEN: Fri, May 24
WHERE: WonderVu
Disc Golf Course,
135 Camp Eden Rd.,
Coal Creek
WEBSITE:
discgolfscene.com/
courses/Wondervu

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19

NEWS

HEALTHY LIVING

KEEPING THE
GOLDEN YEARS
GOLDEN

How cannabis can help improve
quality of life for seniors

B

By Lanny Swerdlow, RN

y 2050 it is expected that
almost 17 percent of the
U.S. population will be over
65 years of age, which
puts significant stress on
a healthcare system that is already
struggling. Experts from multiple fields
from medicine to insurance have been
working on a solution. However, the one
solution that is hardly mentioned is to
increase senior cannabis consumption.
Pain, depression and insomnia are
some of the most common ailments of
advancing years, and cannabis is tailormade to provide safe and effective
therapeutic relief to these chronic
maladies and many others as well.
Chronic pain afflicts most seniors
due to a lifetime of wearing down
of joints and muscles, a general
decrease in activity levels and the
presence of other medical conditions.
Up to 88 percent of seniors complain
of varying degrees of chronic pain.
Rather than providing them with
dangerous and addicting opioidbased medications like Percocet
and Vicodin, doctors could provide
effective and safe treatment for
pain using cannabis. A 2015 study at
Montreal’s McGill University found
that “chronic pain patients who use
herbal cannabis daily for one-year
report reduced discomfort and
increased quality of life.”

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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

“The endocannabinoid system and the endocannabinoids
produced by our bodies are responsible for maintaining
homeostasis—keeping our bodies in balance.”

Cannabis to treat pain was so
effective that a research paper
published in the journal Health Affairs
found that when cannabis was easily
available, “FDA-approved prescription
drugs under Medicare Part D fell
substantially.”
Life changes associated with
advancing years such as the death
of a spouse or deterioration of
bodily functions can lead to feelings
of isolation, anxiety and stress
detrimentally affecting how an elderly
person manages their daily activities
of life such as sleeping, eating and
working. Treatment for depression
can range from consultations with
psychologists to the use of prescription
pharmaceuticals. The most common,
known as selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), are Celexa, Paxil,
Zoloft, Prozac and Effexor. Although
effective in varying degrees, they
increase the risk of falling, injuries,
seizures, strokes and death.
There is another way to treat
depression. The endocannabinoid
system and the endocannabinoids
produced by our bodies are
responsible for maintaining
homeostasis—keeping our bodies in
balance. Research has shown that
depression can come from a reduction
in the production of endocannabinoids
thereby throwing our bodies out
of balance. These cannabinoid
deficiencies produced by stress and
other triggers of depression can be
ameliorated through the supplemental
use of cannabis.
“Using compounds derived from
cannabis—marijuana—to restore normal
endocannabinoid function could
potentially help stabilize moods and
ease depression,” was the conclusion of
a 2015 report issued by neuroscientists
from the University at Buffalo’s

Research Institute on Addictions.
Depression shares many of the
same symptoms as post-traumatic
stress disorder, and cannabis has
been shown to effectively mitigate
these symptoms in the publications
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs and
Neuropsychopharmacology. Although
these conclusions are speculative,
the legendary ability of cannabis to
enhance mood provides thousands
of years of anecdotal evidence to
substantiate this research.
Although insomnia is not directly
related to aging, over 50 percent
of elderly people report problems
sleeping whether it is falling asleep,
staying asleep or obtaining enough
sleep. Developing regular patterns of
sleeping and exercise are solutions
that many find helpful, but still almost
one-third of seniors take prescription
pharmaceuticals in a quest to get a
good night’s sleep.
Most commonly prescribed
are barbiturates like Seconal,
benzodiazepines like Xanax or insomnia
“Z” meds like Ambien. From increasing
the risk of falls to confusion and
constipation, all of these drugs have
significant negative side-effects.
As pain and anxiety can thwart
sleep, the ability of cannabis to
mitigate pain and reduce anxiety as
noted above can overcome some of
the most common causes of insomnia.
In addition, cannabinoids are involved
in the sleep-wake cycle and other
circadian processes. THC and the
lesser known cannabinoid CBN,
exhibit significant sedative properties
helping to explain why the ingestion of
cannabis facilitates falling asleep and
increases deep sleep.
Whether for pain, depression or
insomnia, the documented ability of
cannabis to provide safe, effective
therapeutic relief to many of the
ailments associated with aging can
restore health, vitality and optimism.
Cannabis keeps the golden years
“golden.” c

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For More
Products Go To
CultureMagazine.com

REVIEWS

3. “Sweet Sativa Special” 14kt
White Gold Necklace and
Earrings
Never before has the high-end
cannabis-consuming woman
had a way to express herself so
freely and with so much class.
It’s safe to say that GENIFER M’s
cannabis-inspired jewelry line
has filled a need that has existed
within the cannabis community
for many years. This stunning
14 karat white gold necklace
and earring set will have that
special someone in your life
shining and sparkling with this
set’s beautiful diamond accents.
This cannabis-inspired set is also
available in 14 karat or 18 karat,
white gold, yellow gold, rose
gold and sterling silver, making
it customizable to the personal
style of any and all consumers.
Price: $295
More Information: geniferm.com

1
1. Pullover Bralette and High
Waist Bottom
Treat yourself to a little Mother’s
Day spoil session that’s coming
right in time for the next
heatwave. Rocking these high
waisted bathing suit bottoms
and comfy cute top not only
makes you the most fashionable
person at the lake, you’ll also be
showing a finer side of cannabis
culture with this elevated print.
Sporting cannabis on your clothes
has never looked more highend and sassier. With bathing
suits available for men too, your
favorite dude doesn’t have to look
like a dud next to your serious
summer fashion statement.
Price: $100
More Information:
maryjane-swim.com
2. Creme Weed Leaf
Embellished Sunnies
Remember when you thought
your future was so bright, you
had to wear shades? Let’s bring
back that confidence and boost
it up a notch with these gold
cannabis leaf-embellished shades
by Blunted Objects. Handcrafted
in the U.S. and protecting your
peepers with UV400 lenses,
the wearer of these fashionable
sunnies will be ready to hit the
pool, a music festival or even
just to mask their stoney eyes at
nighttime while still looking fresh.
Price: $45
More Information:
bluntedobjects.com
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

2

3

4

4. Lifted Ladies Box
Finally! A cannabis-centric box
that is curated to the fiercely
feminine consumer. Lifted Ladies
Box is a breath of fresh cannabis
vapor in a room full of stale smoke.
What we mean is this box is not
your run-of-the-mill cannabis
subscription box. Curated each
month with a fun and unique
theme in mind, each box contains
up to 12 items that range from
glass and papers to bath bombs,
bags and everything in between.
Whether you’re ordering this for
youself, a friend or your mom,
Lifted Ladies Box is full of goodies
that are both everyday necessities
and random fun items.
Price: $33.95
More Information:
liftedladiesbox.com

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GET YOUR
CLICKS

HERE

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MAY 2019

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REVIEWS

entertainment

BOOK

High Yoga:
Enhance Yoga
with Cannabis
and CBD
Treatments
for Relaxation,
Healing, and
Bliss
Darrin Zeer
Pub. Chronicle
Books
Never has the
intersection between
cannabis and yoga
been so creative and
unique. High Yoga
gives cannabis-loving
yogis the opportunity
to incorporate their
two favorite hobbies,
courtesy easy-tofollow instructions and
simple illustrations of
various yoga poses.
Poses are given cutesy
names like the “Blitzed
Bridge Pose” and
the “Canna Camel
Pose.” Plus, each of
the book’s seven
chapters connect with
our bodies’ chakras
(be, energize, feel,
open, see, share and
free), ensuring that
the reader will activate
healing energy of
their body and mine.
Namaste.
(Jacob Cannon)
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RELEASE DATE:
MAY 14
AVAILABLE ON:
PLAYSTATION 4,
XBOX ONE AND PC

MUSIC

Modern Doubt

GAME

MOVIE

Rage 2

Vice

Dev. Avalanche
Studios
Pub. Bethesda
Softworks

Dir. Adam McKay
Annapurna
Pictures

Law and order do
not exist in the world
that Rage 2 takes
place in. Instead, this
game features a postapocalyptic world that
is nearly destroyed by a
massive asteroid, causing
a global extinction
event. Eighty percent
of Earth’s population
was destroyed, but
survivors have begun
to rebuild, which has
created a need for new
factions and settlements.
Players are the lucky
few who are trying to
survive in this dystopian
landscape, roaming
an open world to fight
mutants, collecting tons
of weapons, driving a
variety of vehicles and
using special abilities
called “nanotrites” that
make this first-person
shooter packed with
action.
(Nicole Potter)

With politics
dominating nearly
every second of every
day, sometimes it can
be hard to remember
a time any different
from our present.
Thankfully, writer/
director Adam McKay
(The Big Short) is
able to take us back
to a time not so long
ago when things
seemed perhaps
simpler, but not all
that different with
Vice. The film follows
the life of former
Vice President Dick
Cheney (played by
Christian Bale) as
he rises from a Yale
University dropout
to the holder of one
of the most powerful
offices in our
country. Dark, funny
and informative,
Vice is one to see
immediately.
(Simon Weedn)

Whiskey Autumn
Self-Released
Two years since the
release of its last EP,
Ice Cream In The Sun,
Denver’s Whiskey
Autumn has returned
with another EP,
Modern Doubt.
Continuing the
band’s move from
the folk/Americana
sound that the band
embraced on its 2011
debut toward a more
contemporary, indie
pop style, the new
EP finds Whiskey
Autumn sounding
more polished
than ever. Leaving
its stripped down,
acoustic sound far
behind, Modern
Doubt captures the
band electric guitars,
synths, drums and
beautiful vocal
harmonies to create
its most epic, huge
sounding release so
far. For those looking
for something close
to modern pop
inspired alternative
rock, look no further.
(Simon Weedn)

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29

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
AND JOHN EASTERLING
Growing and Healing Together
By Sharon Letts with John Easterling
Olivia Newton-John’s
musical career
has spanned five
decades with more
than 100 million
albums sold, garnering four
Grammy Awards, numerous
music awards and 10 number
one hits, including “Physical,”
the number one single in the
1980s, a starring role in the 1978
musical hit Grease, and another
in the cult classic, Xanadu; with
enough musical accolades to
prompt Billboard Magazine to
name Newton-John one of the
Greatest of All Time Hot 100
Women Artists in 2015.
In 1991 she was named the
first Goodwill Ambassador to
the United Nations Environment
Programme, serving as National
Spokesperson for the Children’s
Health Environmental Coalition
(CHEC), now Healthy Child,
Healthy World (HealthyChild.
org).
This honor came after her
daughter Chloe’s best friend
passed away from a rare form
of childhood cancer, inspiring
a lifelong concern for cancer
patients in Newton-John.
Her own first bout with
breast cancer came shortly
thereafter in 1992, with NewtonJohn doing what any modern
woman at that time would do
when faced with cancer, she
went through surgery and nine

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months of chemotherapy.
Once her cancer was in
remission, Newton-John dove
headfirst into breast health
advocacy and helping others.
She established a partnership
with Austin Campus in her
hometown of Melbourne,
Australia, opening the Olivia
Newton-John Cancer & Wellness
Research Centre. The Centre has
a focus on providing the same
therapies that had helped Olivia
through her own cancer journey,
such as acupuncture, meditation
and yoga.
To further the philosophy
that good health must include
mindful therapies, she opened
Gaia Retreat & Spa in Byron
Bay, New South Wales,
Australia—a place to renew,
refresh and restore; with the
resort garnering many awards,
including TripAdvisor’s number
three spot on its Top 10
Celebrity-Owned Hotels in the
World and the World Luxury
Hotel Awards 2018 #1 Global
Hotel of the Year.

“My husband, John, has been
working with herbs for decades, I
really don’t do anything but glean
from his wealth of knowledge. He
makes the pudding, I just eat it.”

PHOTO BY SELAH ESTRADA

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MAY 2019

31

“I had tried cannabis years ago and had
a bad experience, so it was a whole new
mindset I had to get into in order to realize
the plant as an important part of my
treatment. With cannabis I was able to
substantially reduce my morphine use over
time by using John’s cannabis formulation.”

Love, Herbs
and Happiness
In 2008 Newton-John
married her longtime friend,
John Easterling, otherwise
known as “Amazon John,”
for his work with the
Amazon rainforest’s rich
botanical heritage of
beneficial plants and his
advocacy to protect it.
The union wasn’t just a
love match, as Easterling’s
knowledge of plant-based
remedies took center-stage
when Newton-John’s cancer
returned in 2013—this time
in her shoulder with mets to
her lungs.
The cancer was found by
chance, after she was rearended in a car accident. “It
was two traumas, really,”
Newton-John explained to
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

CULTURE. “My sister had just
passed away months prior
from brain cancer, so I was
suffering from emotional
trauma. After they did an
MRI on my shoulder, then a
biopsy, the tumor began to
grow. I feel this made things
worse, and I committed
to a new level of focus on
natural treatments after that
experience.”
After spending the last
30 years importing and
formulating remedies from
plants from the Amazon,
Easterling’s instincts led
him back to the garden for
Newton-John. Guanábana,
camu camu, cat’s claw,
Sangre de grado, and some
mushrooms are just some
of the superfoods from the
Amazon that he formulated
as a master herbalist for his
wife, along with a strong

cannabis tincture.
Six weeks into the plantbased treatment, NewtonJohn’s daughter, Chloe, flew
into Los Angeles, California
for a group viewing of the
scans. Where there had been
nine spots in her lungs, there
were now just four, with her
cancer markers dropping
substantially.
Cannabis or plant-based
remedy patients typically
wait for the skepticism from
whatever technician or doctor
standing-by, as they share an
alternative treatment, but this
time was different.
“We expected the
radiologist to roll his eyes,”
Easterling explained. “But,
he asked us to send him all
the data! He wanted to know
everything we were doing,
right down to the plants,
formula and dosage.”

And although the Centre doesn’t
recommend using cannabis
at this time, they do respect
patient’s choices concerning the
beneficial herb used commonly in
the U.S. with cancer treatments.
Olivia was able to spend time
recovering in the wellness center
that bears her name in Australia,
albeit, incognito.
“I wanted to be able to
experience the healing like
everyone else—and I didn’t want
to draw attention to myself—so,
I wore a knit cap and a medical
face mask when I walked the
hall in my walker,” she mused. “It
was such a gift to be there and
go through the treatments—not
just medical, but through art,
meditation, mindfulness, and
prayer. We flew home directly
from the hospital with me in a
wheelchair, using a walker—with
seven prescription medications in
my possession.”
Cannabis isn’t yet legal
in Australia. Two years ago
the country began a medical
cannabis program, but it’s limited
in scope, so far. The good news
is, Newton-John shared that the
center named after her is now
planning a clinical study with
cannabis and cancer.

Rich in Remedy
Another Bout,
More Pl ants
The couple said things went well
after the last bout, and then in
2017 Newton-John began having
lower back pain, written off
initially as sciatica pain.
“We got lazy with my
maintenance treatments,”
Newton-John shared. “I was
doing my Vegas residency and
was playing tennis when the back
pain started.”
Maintenance regimens for
plant-based cancer patients
require due diligence. By
September of 2018, Newton-John

said she was doing a wellness
walk in Australia, and the pain in
her back worsened.
“The pain was excruciating,”
Newton-John shared. “That’s
when we found the tumor had
metastasized to my sacrum, as
Stage Four. We did some targeted
photon radiation at that point,
morphine for the pain, and I kept
doing herbs. I was flat on my back
in bed for one month, then in a
wheelchair, then used a walker for
a month, then a cane—and now
I’m walking without assistance.”
Easterling said they used
algae and fucus help chelate
the excess radiation out of her
system after the treatments.
PHOTO BY DENISE TRUSCELLO

When the couple returned to their
home in California, Easterling was
able to roll up his sleeves and
get to work on Newton-John’s
remedies from the garden—and
the garage, so to speak.
“Our garage is full of herbs,”
Newton-John laughed, while
Easterling rattled off the many
superfoods from around the world
occupying the couple’s space.
“I’ve got hundreds of pounds of
medicinal plants from the rainforest
and around the world,” he shared,
speaking of beneficial plants and
superfoods commonly used in
Latin America. Aside from the
many plants he has been importing
form the Amazon, his newfound
focus is now on cannabis.
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35

“The pain was excruciating. That’s when we found the
tumor had metastasized to my sacrum, as Stage Four.
We did some targeted photon radiation at that point,
morphine for the pain, and I kept doing herbs. I was flat
on my back in bed for one month, then in a wheelchair,
then used a walker for a month, then a cane—and now
I’m walking without assistance.”

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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

P H O T O BY K AT H R Y N B U R K E

Easterling began formulating a cannabis remedy
for Newton-John, growing a number of cultivars
himself in his research garden. His focus is on the
plant as chemovar, a more scientific approach to
looking at the many compounds, via terpene and
cannabinoid extraction from the whole plant to
treat the cancer and the entire body, building the
immune system so it can aid in fighting the disease.
His process includes running multiple
(26) chemovars of flower material in dry ice,
separating and concentrating the trichomes,
then immediately extracting those in cold
alcohol using Extractohol, a 190 proof organic
sugar cane alcohol. The extract is then filtered.
He calls this formulation Extract One Tincture.
This Extract One Tincture is a full profile
extract of cannabinoids in their acidic or A-form
with their naturally occurring terpenes (there
are more than 140 known and researched
cannabinoids found in cannabis, out of nearly
500 beneficial compounds). Some of the Extract
One Tincture is run in a distiller with heat,
decarboxylated and concentrated into an oil, or
Extract Two Oil.
Extract Two Oil is a fully decarboxylated
oil with high concentrations of cannabinoids
including tetrahydrocannabinol otherwise known
as THC, the compound causing psychoactivity.
He then blends the Extract Two Oil, which is
highly soluble, into the Extract One Tincture. This
formula is the remedy Newton-John takes using a
dropper, consuming 1,500 milligrams throughout
the course of the day. This works out to about
600 milligrams of THC and 200 milligrams of
CBD in both acidic and decarboxylated forms.
The mixture is highly psychoactive, and the
patient must start with a very low dose and
titrate their way up to a therapeutic dose to
more effectively deal with cancer cell death and
numerous other symptoms, while building the
immune system.
“Olivia is sensitive to the THC, so by taking
small drops throughout the day she was able
to acclimate to the higher doses in about six
weeks,” Easterling explained.
It was difficult for the world’s sweetheart to
share her cannabis use, even though it was part
of a serious cancer protocol, as the stigma is
so great. She just doesn’t fit the stereotypical
stoner image.
“I had tried cannabis years ago and had a
bad experience, so it was a whole new mindset
I had to get into in order to realize the plant as
an important part of my treatment,” she said.
“With cannabis I was able to substantially reduce
my morphine use over time, by using John’s
cannabis formulation.”

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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

PHOTO BY DENISE TRUSCELLO

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39

Mainstream media has reported that the
cannabis tincture she takes helps with pain, but
Easterling eagerly expounds on its many healing
properties, including the potential to cause
cancer cell death.
“Cannabis initiates a number of healing
responses that can result in apoptosis, cancer
cell death—while healing and strengthening the
body,” he detailed. “Another important part of
the larger picture is the starting material and how
the plants are cultivated. I first grew cannabis in
1970, and every part of Olivia’s medicine is from
plants I grew in my research garden.”
Easterling has cultivated 26 different types
of cannabis plants to date—all grown, as he
says, “Bio-harmonically, using a microbial blend
of bacteria with a gemstone elixir, and Amazon
herbs that go directly into the soil.”

Tending their Garden of Wellness
While many may not realize the power of plants
involved in Newton-John’s treatment, both are
grateful for the research being done around the
world with cannabis and other healing plants for
serious ailments.
At the time of this writing, Easterling is
traveling the medical cannabis circuit around the
world, speaking out on plant-based therapies
and the role cannabis plays in the healing
process—especially where his wife and cancer
are concerned.
“Her markers are going down, the tumors are
shrinking and disappearing,” he surmised. “We
are just going to keep doing what we’ve been
doing, while spreading the word to help others.”
Currently Newton-John uses only two
prescription medications that block estrogen
and 12 milligrams of morphine. This is down
from 60 milligrams just three months ago.
The rest of her regimen comes from nature’s
botanical pharmacy.
Her pain is under control, and her mobility has
increased substantially. She is back to feeding
the horses, driving on her own, meeting with
friends and carrying on a full and active life.
Even Easterling agrees it’s quite an extraordinary
story, from an extraordinary woman.
As for Newton-John, she’s grateful that
the love of her life is also her own personal
apothecary, tending to their garden, her health
and the health of the planet.
“My husband, John, has been working with
herbs for decades, I really don’t do anything but
glean from his wealth of knowledge. He makes
the pudding, I just eat it,” she laughed. c

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Don’t Stop Believin’
Olivia New ton-John
Pub. Galler y Books
Time and time again, major setbacks like
courageous battles with stage 4 cancer
and bone fractures haven’t deterred Olivia
Newton-John from achieving her goals
through her unbridled career in music,
film and philanthropy. In the history of music, few
entertainers have sold 100 million albums, yielded 10
number one hits, over 15 top 10 hits and won countless
awards with the ease and grace of Newton-John. But
beyond her domination in pop music and musical film,
Newton-John has a heart of gold, and it’s evident in her
ongoing environmental, animal and humanitarian efforts
including her partnership with Austin Health and the
creation of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness &
Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Newton-John’s
recent conquest has been tackling cancer. Just over
40 years after the release of Grease, Newton-John’s
retrospective is a timely look at over four decades of
fame and triumph over darkness. Her personal journey
is a tale of wellness and resolve—beginning in her
childhood years and into her post-fame exploration into
major philanthropic efforts in Australia and beyond.
Newton-John’s tell-all memoir is delivered through her
wit and humor that drove her into superstardom in the
first place, from when she was undiscovered.

“CBD has anti-inflammatory benefits, it’s
high in antioxidants, it’s very good for
troubled skin. So when you combine ancient
formulas with CBD, that’s what we specialize
in. That’s why it’s so powerful. They work.”
Sooner rather than
later, the world of
skincare will never
be the same. Topical
creams, lotions, salves
and other products
infused with cannabidiol
(CBD) are set to appear
in a new domain on
drug store shelves.
It’s quickly becoming
easier to sell CBDinfused items, especially
topical items, given the
rapidly changing legal
ramifications behind it.
A domino effect is
unfolding, culminating
with the 2018 Farm
Bill and a statement
from the Drug
Enforcement
Administration
about
reclassifying
hemp-derived
CBD. Only the
Food and Drug
Administration
stands in
the way,

Herbologist and skincare educator Dr. Jenelle Kim

cautioning against
health claims. Now drug
stores are catching on,
with chains like CVS
Health Corp., Walgreens
and Rite Aid announcing
that they will sell CBDbased topical items.
CULTURE reached out
to medical experts in
the field of CBD and
skincare to get a glimpse
of why this new trend is
catching on.
“I’m thrilled beyond
words!” Herbologist,
acupuncturist and
skincare educator
Dr. Jenelle Kim told
CULTURE in regards
to the sweeping
changes in the drug
store industry—and the
growing potential for
business. The first time
Dr. Kim was approached
about entering the CBD
industry, she hung up
the phone. But slowly,
she learned about CBD
and the purposes behind
it, how it helps children
and how it helps with
inflammation. It didn’t
take long for her to see
the enormous potential
for CBD in skincare.
Learning about
CBD-based topicals is
a good place to start
for people who are new
to hemp and cannabis
or for those who don’t
PHOTO BY CMW MEDIA

want the psychoactive
effects. “The number
one question that we’re
all aware of—whether it’s
internally or topically—is
‘Will CBD products get
me high?’ The answer
is [pure] CBD does not
have any psychoactive
effects,” said Kim,
hinting at a whole new
world of hemp products.
“One of the main things I
like to speak on is riding
this tidal wave.”
Dr. Kim’s company
launched in 2012 with the
pioneers in the industry,
before most people
knew what CBD was all
about. Clients came to
Dr. Kim and her lab, JBK
Wellness Labs, based
on her background
specifically in Chinese
and East Asian herbal
medicine. “I come from a
lineage of herbal doctors
in Korea,” Kim explained.
“Why that’s important
is that CBD comes from
the hemp plant and
hemp has been around
for thousands of years
in Chinese medicine.”
Dr. Kim explained that
since 2000 BCE, it was
used by herbologists and
recorded later for the
exact same reasons we
use it today.
The ancient lore of
using herbs to calm
and strengthen skin
is nothing new. “My
mission in life is to help
share the understanding
of herbal medicine,
and natural medicine in
this part of the world.
There’s a balance
between both. Topicals,
dietary supplements,
medicine—it’s so
important for our bodies
that we know when to
use what. People often
ask me what’s best.”

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43

“The number one question that
we’re all aware of—whether it’s
internally or topically—is ‘Will CBD
products get me high?’”
That’s why Dr. Kim incorporates ancient
herbal mixtures with CBD, and her blends
come from the Far East. “We call them BiBong formulas, which translates to ‘secret
formula’ in Korean, and it’s commonly
understood in East Asia,” Dr. Kim said.
“These herbal formulas have been carried
[down] by my family for generations.
For centuries. Anyone can put herbs in a
formula. True herbal medicine, though, is
knowing how to use an ingredient, like CBD,
and balance it with other herbs to enhance
the function of that ingredient. CBD has
anti-inflammatory benefits, it’s high in
antioxidants, it’s very good for troubled skin.
So when you combine ancient formulas with
CBD, that’s what we specialize in. That’s why
it’s so powerful. They work.”
Cannabis Beauty Defined, Dr. Kim’s line
of CBD-infused topicals, has been noted as
one of the first luxury CBD skincare lines.
“I’m very proud of it,” Dr. Kim said. “It’s
headed by a MJMA [Medical Marijuana Inc.],
which is one of the primaries in this industry.
We’re really interested in helping people.”
Dermatologist, author and holistic
expert Jeanette Jacknin M.D., also wasn’t
sure about CBD at first. About four years
ago, Jacknin broke her ankle leaving her
without cartilage and causing several years
of excruciating pain—pain that couldn’t be
effectively treated with pharmaceutical
medicine. “I had a girlfriend come over and
say ‘Look. I have this CBD cream, and it
really helps with my neuritis. I really think
you should try it topically for your ankle
pain,’” Jacknin told CULTURE. “I compared
it to my lidocaine patch, and I realized it
gave me much better pain relief—then I
began researching.” There are dozens of
other ways CBD can be beneficial topically.
Dr. Jacknin was among the first
dermatologists to speak as a panelist on
topical cannabinoids, including a pivotal
presentation at the Annual Meeting of the
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

Dermatologist
and holistic
expert Jeanette
Jacknin M.D.

American Academy of
Dermatology. It worked
out great, because
she now has much
experience presenting
dozens of talks about
topicals in the holistic
space.
While CBD products
are new, hemp seed oil
products are not. “The
acceptance of CBD is
good, but it’s also led to
a lot of misrepresentation
and misunderstanding
because people are
taking hemp oil and
calling it cannabis sativa
oil, leading people
to believe they get
the benefits of CBD

out of that,” Jacknin
said. “The difference
between CBD oil, hemp
seed oil and cannabis
oil isn’t understood.
Hemp seed oil is great
as a [moisturizer],
and it’s loaded with
omega-3 fatty acids,
but it generally doesn’t
contain significant
amounts of CBD.”
Choosing a reliable
company with solid
CBD sources is no easy
feat. “I’ve consulted for
two CBD companies
that I think have good
products,” Jacknin said,
recommending Sopris
Health and Wellness. c

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45

SOOTHING SKINCARE
Embrace the secret to supple
skin with hemp and cannabis

It’s time to give your skincare routine a facelift!
Navigating the world of hemp and CBD skincare can
be challenging when there are so many different types
of products available to consumers. Learn more about a
handful of trusted products offered in the world of hemp
and cannabis skincare.

CBD Infused Acne Treatment Regimen
by Healthy Skin CBD
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne
affects approximately 50 million Americans every year—and all
of those people are seeking a product that can clear up their skin
quickly and safely. CBD is a popular ingredient in skincare, given
its strong anti-inflammatory properties, and this CBD Infused
Acne Treatment Regimen will help clear up acne-prone skin.
The product is a simple three-step system that offers a cleanser,
toner and moisturizer for daily application. First, the cleanser
is a refreshing mix of hemp-derived CBD, kiwi and watermelon
(with the added salicylic acid to help unclog pores). Second,
the toner offers more CBD, as well as aloe vera and witch hazel,
to remove unwanted oil and dirt. And finally, the moisturizer
offers a unique mix of CBD, avocado, apple, lentil and a minimal
amount of benzoyl peroxide to eliminate acne-related bacteria.
Kiss redness and inflammation goodbye as your skin begins to
return to its natural, smooth and balanced state!
PRICE: $75
MORE INFORMATION: healthyskincbd.com

CBD Lotion by Grassroots Harvest
No matter what time of the year, it’s always important to ensure that
your skin is moisturized and protected. If you’re also looking to add
in the topical benefits of CBD to your skincare routine, then check
out this CBD Lotion by Grassroots Harvest. This hand and body
lotion contains 400mg of hemp oil extracted CBD per bottle. Also
containing organic peppermint essential oil and organic eucalyptus
essential oil, the subtle mint smell of this lotion is just a fresh as the
topical effects. Treat your skin and your nose to a true spa experience.
PRICE: $45
MORE INFORMATION: grassrootsharvest.com

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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

The Fixer by Beam
Take Beam’s advice with this salve: Heal, hustle and repeat.
Customers rave about Beam’s product, The Fixer, a 100
percent organic CBD salve. Get ready to feel your best
without the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC. Take
a small bit of salve and apply it to problem areas of your
muscles and skin as needed throughout the day. Smelling
of the organic eucalyptus and lavender oils that are in this
salve, the scent will calm your mind and body alongside
the properties of the product’s total 500mg of organic
pharmaceutical-grade full spectrum CBD oil.
PRICE: $64.95
MORE INFORMATION: beamtlc.com

Antioxidant Facial Oil by Mad Hippie
Utilizing “genuine flower power,” Mad Hippie’s Antioxidant Facial Oil is jam
packed with 18 natural ingredients that are proven to help hydrate and
maintain healthy skin. This includes but is not limited to argan oil (which hails
from a Moroccan tree and is rich in fatty acids and other compounds that
smooth the skin), cara cara oil (an ingredient from the Amazon that has more
30 times more vitamin C than an orange) and of course, hemp seed extract.
Not only is it a revolutionary product that treats signs of aging skin, but it
also leaves out the harmful chemicals commonly found in beauty products.
Plus it’s also vegan friendly, GMO-free, cruelty-free and smells amazing too.
PRICE: $24.99
MORE INFORMATION: madhippie.com

CLEAN™ by Rawceuticals®
If you’re looking to shield your face against the dangers
of the environment, give your skin the protection and
moisture it needs with CLEAN TM by Rawceuticals®.
Complete with cannabis sativa hemp seed oil,
sunflower seed oil and PhytoVie™ Defense urban shield
copolymer, this facial cleanser effectively removes
dirt, makeup and oil while balancing your skin’s oil
production. What’s good for your skin also happens to
be good for the environment—emerginC plants a tree
for every product sold.
PRICE: $48
MORE INFORMATION: emerginc.com
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47

PERFECT
POISE AND
ADVOCACY

Former beauty queen
Syanne Centeno makes
the uncommon transition
into cannabis
By John McClain
From pageant queen to
cannabis consumer, from
walking the evening gown
competition to walking customers
through cannabis purchases,
Syanne Centeno stands tall as a
symbol for the broad scope of
medical cannabis consumers today.
As a passionate advocate, the
former beauty pageant winner is
using her experiences to create
a platform of cannabis reform.
Centeno competed in pageants
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starting in her early 20s. She
won the Miss Maryland World
competition in 2015 and was in the
Top 12 of the Miss World America
competition that same year.
Centeno started taking medical
cannabis several months ago after
being diagnosed with a seizure
disorder, tumors and endometriosis.
“It’s crazy how quickly I was
able to get off of some of my
medications, and how there’s been
this change in me physically and
mentally,” said Centeno, who has
also battled mental health issues

P H OTO BY G E O R G I N A VAU G H A N

and found that cannabis alleviated
those as well. “Everyone has
been saying I smile a lot more; I’m
getting a lot more done.”
Centeno’s life quickly changed
as she was presented with
opportunities in the medical
cannabis space. While visiting a
clinic as a patient, she was asked
to come to work for a medical
cannabis certification clinic. Then,
while working there, she was
offered a job at Finding Haven in
Brandywine, Maryland after being
impressed by her work skills.

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49

“I started as a patient, and it’s really cool
to have gotten into this industry coming from
a patient’s perspective. I never thought that I
would transition to anything cannabis-related
from being Miss Maryland World,” she said.
Centeno doesn’t wear her pageant crown to
work, but even a change in hairstyle and a
pair of glasses doesn’t stop her from being
recognized a couple of times behind at the
cool blue-lit counter of the dispensary.
“It’s a little awkward,” she said. “You
just don’t expect people to recognize you.”
Centeno’s passion for helping others shines
not only through her work and her studies
in drug and alcohol counseling at the
University of Southern Maryland, but it also
shows in her nonprofit devoted to honoring
children battling serious illnesses.
During her reign as Miss Maryland World
2015, Centeno began the Warrior Princess
Initiative, an organization that recognizes
children with life-threatening diseases.
“I would remember about how I would
feel when I was crowned,” said Centeno,
“and I wanted to make children feel the
same feeling of excitement and feel good
about themselves.”
The nonprofit has been on hiatus while
she was in and out of the hospital for the
last couple of years, but she is rebuilding the
organization while attending school, working
and planning a summer wedding.
Centeno said that it was crazy that
people had such a negative perception of
cannabis, but felt that education was key to
future acceptance and understanding. Her
own early conversations about her medical
cannabis brought concern the medication
would tarnish her reputation.
“Well, isn’t that the reason we need
to talk about it? Because, you know, I’m
not what people think . . . ” she said. She
mentioned her gratefulness that cannabis
was legalized for medical use and she
was able to use it to change her life, in
terms of both her health and her career
path. Centeno uses her public image and
speaking engagements to advocate for
medical cannabis use and to help erase the
stigma of cannabis consumption.
“I use cannabis and, yeah, I was a pageant
queen . . . but that doesn’t mean that I can’t
use cannabis. Doctors use it, lawyers use
it, all kinds of people use it, and the fact of
cannabis is changing, I think we need to
showcase that.”
“It’s a part of my story now, and I can’t
leave it out. It’s become part of me.” c
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“I started as a patient, and it’s
really cool to have gotten into
this industry coming from a
patient’s perspective. I never
thought that I would transition to
anything cannabis-related from
being Miss Maryland World.”

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51

UNIVERSAL
HUMOR

Amir K found that comedy helped
him acclimate to life in America
after immigrating from Iran
By David Edmundson
When the bubble burst on the
housing market in 2008, Amir K
decided it was time to stop waiting on
his dream of performing stand-up comedy.
He moved to Los Angeles, California,
hustled his ass off and made his dreams
come true.
Amir came to the United States when
he was five years old, after his father
brought his family from a war-torn Iran—a
sacrifice that caused Amir to postpone
his true calling in life, comedy. But don’t
fret, because this story has a happy
ending. The actor and writer is perhaps
best known for his roles on MADtv and
2017’s Hollywood Said No. CULTURE was
fortunate enough to sit down with the
energetic comic, and he was very candid
about his comedic beginnings, his delay in
entering the scene and his experience with
cannabis. Spoiler alert, you may never
look at LEGOs the same again.

You’ve been doing standup for
over a decade now. How did you get
into it?
I was always a funny kid, and my
fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Smith,
encouraged me to do some
performance things for the class. But
I didn’t know what it was, because
we’re immigrants. I came here with
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

my family when I was five years old. I
was transplanted into this whole new
world, and I had to learn how things
worked culturally and how people
interact. The miscommunications in
those situations provided me with
a lot of material. I loved making
my friends laugh. If we were all
laughing, it helped me fit in, because

PHOTOS BY JON PREMOSCH

we were all together. I learned that
my connection to other people was
through laughter, because humor can
cross all borders.
How did your family react to your
comic aspirations?
I kind of had to skirt around the
issue. My dad brought us from Iran,

through a war, sacrificing
so much so that his family
could have a better life.
So, I felt I owed it to him
to go to school, so that’s
what I did, and I put my
real dream and passion on
the back burner. I would
do the occasional open
mic while I was at school
at UCLA, but after college
it would be another eight
to 10 years before I would
get back into it. And it’s
funny, in hindsight I don’t
think they would have
ever had a problem with
me doing stand-up if I
just talked to them. They
were just looking out for
me and wanted me to be
happy and make a decent
living.
Why the lengthy delay?
After I graduated, the
real estate market was
booming, so I decided to
do that. I made a bunch
of money and eventually
started an appraisal
company. The whole time
making up excuses not
to do stand-up. I would
always say I was going to
get back to it, but I had a
good job. Then the market

tanked in 2008, and I was
like “Fuck it! I’m going all
in.” I moved up to LA, and
I would pass out fliers to
get people to come into
the comedy clubs. If I got
enough people to come in,
they would let me do a set
on the late show.
Society and its
acceptance of comedy
have changed significantly
in the last 10 years. Have
you had to augment your
performance?
It really depends on where
you go. I don’t mind
playing anywhere, because
I feel that if you’re funny,
you’re funny anywhere. It
transcends everything, and
of course some places are
more sensitive than others,
but I don’t think you should
change your show in any
way if you are trying to
pursue comedy for your
personal satisfaction. I
don’t want to do a standup set that I don’t enjoy
because I’m afraid to upset
somebody. I’m doing this
because I love doing it,
not to fit into somebody’s
pre-conceived notion of
what I should do or say.

Most comedians have felt
it, but I think there is a
pushback happening right
now in comedy, and in a
couple years I think it will
go back to normal where
we are allowed to say
whatever we want. Because
we should be, we’re
comedians not politicians.
I think we are moving past
the hypersensitivity. If you
don’t like the stuff, don’t go.
That’s why I prefer to work
comedy clubs. Because the
audience knows that they
are there for a show and to
be entertained. They are
paying to hear stories from
a different point of view,
and most adults are okay
with that.
Can you tell us about
the first time you were
introduced to cannabis?
I had a cousin who was a
few years older than me,
and we would always skate
together. We were skating
at a gas station when I was
in sixth grade, and he had
a pipe made out of LEGOs,
actual LEGO pieces with
a piece of foil as a screen.
Super unhealthy way to
smoke, but we were just

dumb kids trying to get
high. I remember being
super hyper-aware of
everything going on. I was
transfixed on watching my
foot push my skateboard as I
went around and around this
gas station. One time my
cousin got ahold of some
hash, and we smoked way
too much. It must have been
a combination of the hash
and my low tolerance, but
I remember getting one of
those big jugs of Gatorade,
and shaking it after I took
off the lid, not realizing what
I was doing. So, there’s red
Gatorade going everywhere
in the kitchen, and I
remember thinking that I
was out of my mind. And
as I got older, I remember a
lot of my friends telling me I
was the first person they got
high with.
What kind of role does
cannabis play in your life
now?
I use it now to deal with
anxiety, or if I need to get a
little extra creativity when I
write. Or if I’m doing a late
show at a club, I’ll smoke
a little to get loose. Not so
much that I’m out of my
mind, but just enough to
take a little of the edge off.
It also helps me focus. My
mind is like a rat’s nest, and
sometimes when I smoke
it helps quiet my negative
thoughts and anxiety and
allows me to be more
present in the moment
without worrying about
a lot of other stuff. That’s
what makes cannabis the
porthole to my creativity.
It also lowers my guard
on some things I might be
hesitant to talk about on
stage. It lets my mind, just
go. And when I’m really in
the zone, the audience will
go with me. c
www.amircomedy.com
CultureMagazine.com

MAY 2019

53

CULINARY ARTISTRY

Chef Andrea Drummer brings an important
level of advocacy to cannabis cuisine
By Caroline Hayes
Andrea Drummer
uses her culinary
expertise to
educate people on
the joys and benefits
of the cannabis plant.
Located in Los Angeles,
California, Chef Drummer
is making her mark on
the industry with her
exquisite cannabis-infused
cuisine, her drive for
cannabis justice and her
entrepreneurial attitude.
Raised in the South,
Drummer grew up being
told that cannabis would
lead her down the wrong
path. As a young adult,
Drummer began her
career as an advocate for
nonprofit groups, focusing
her efforts on youth and
the homeless. She was
very much anti-drug and
pushed for the “Just Say
No” agenda.
After her nonprofit
work, Drummer studied
at Le Cordon Bleu where
she earned a Culinary
Arts and Chef Training
degree. Drummer landed
her first job at The RitzCarlton working with
Chef Neal Frazer. Due to
long hours on her feet as
a chef, Drummer started
experiencing lower back
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

pain. A friend gave her
medical cannabis to
relieve her discomfort,
and she slowly began
to believe in the healing
powers of cannabis.
To say Drummer did a
complete 180 degree
turn would be accurate.
“I am eternally grateful
to anti-cannabis Andrea.
Because of her, my work
is all encompassing. I’m
familiar with the voice
of those that reject
cannabis. That voice
was me. That proximity
of understanding is
instrumental in how I
navigate the advocacy
work that I do today,”
Drummer told CULTURE.
In 2012, Drummer
began cooking with
cannabis and formed
Elevation VIP Cooperative,
a California-based
catering company that
serves fine cannabisinfused foods at private
events. Drummer is also the
food editor at cannabisMD,
author of Cannabis Cuisine:
Bud Pairings of a Born
Again Chef and was seen
on Cooking on High, a
Netflix original series.
She has also cooked for
high profile celebrities
such as Chelsea Handler
and Wiz Khalifa.

Drummer throws one heck of a dinner
party and demonstrates excellence in
not only her cooking but entertaining as
well. “Well, I’m of the Ritz-Carlton ilk. So,
I believe in a specific level of service. The
food, once mastered, is easy to deliver. It
comes down to taking every opportunity
to enhance the guest experience. Whether
that’s an unexpected enhancement like a
researched cocktail, a personalized gift, an
on-site massage therapist, a cannabis
sommelier. Being a service professional
means being the best of service. I’ll forever
be exploring ways to perfect that,” she
told CULTURE.
Drummer designs meticulously
thought-out menus with nourishing foods,
appropriately infused with cannabis and
plated to perfection. It’s an art form that
she is dedicated to and has built her
career around. She works with a sliding
scale when it comes to dosing. “The
conversation begins with the recognized
standard of proper dosing, which is 10mg.
From there, it’s about acknowledging
the guest desired experience and their
tolerance level. That could mean an
enhanced serving for a more advanced
consumer or a lowered dosage/strain
with added CBD to balance the THC
content for novices,” Drummer said.
Outside of hiring Elevation VIP
Cooperative to cater a private event, we
wanted to know where inquiring taste
buds could taste Chef Drummer’s cooking.
Her response, “Soon enough, guests
will be able to make a reservation at the
first on-site consumption lounge in West
Hollywood. I’ve partnered with an amazing
entity that is Lowell Farms. We were
fortunate to be one of a few recipients of
[an] on-site consumption license given by
the city of WeHo. We’re incredibly excited
to make infused dining accessible to the
general public.” Lowell Farms: A Cannabis
Café is set to open in summer 2019.
This all sounds like a dream come true,
albeit a potential obstacle on the horizon,
and that is state health departments
around the country are cracking down
on the infusion of cannabidiol (CBD) in
cuisine. “It’s definitely unfortunate since
so many have put great energy into
thoughtful and creative CBD programs.
Conversely, it is a double-edged sword.
While we [are disappointed] now, it’ll
benefit us all to have standard regulation

on CBD use moving forward,” Drummer
explained confidently.
Despite the potential of changing
regulations, the future will be busy for
Drummer. She told CULTURE, “The goal
is a few more on-site consumption cafes,
more advocacy, television, a series of
B&Bs and whatever I can do to move the
needle on global legalization.”
Powerhouses like Drummer are
helping to shift the negative views
and reputation of the cannabis. Chef
Drummer is infusing healthy, homemade
cuisines with homegrown cannabis and
the goal isn’t to get high. It’s to nourish
the mind, body and soul with the healing
powers of the plant.
Cannabis and food revolve around
ritual and ultimately bring people of all
cultures together. There is no doubt that
when intertwining them, the ritual goes
deeper, the connection becomes stronger
and the message gets louder. c

“It’s definitely unfortunate since so many have put great energy
into thoughtful and creative CBD programs. Conversely, it is a
double-edged sword. While we [are disappointed] now, it’ll benefit
us all to have standard regulation on CBD use moving forward.”

CultureMagazine.com

MAY 2019

55

GROWING CULTURE

THE ADVANTAGE
OF SMALL PLANTS

A

By Ed Rosenthal
large, healthy,
flowering cannabis
plant is an
inspiring sight.
It’s the successful
culmination of an entire
season’s effort. The quest
for big plants is an artifact
of eased prohibition rules,
which allowed cultivation for
personal consumption, usually
based on plant numbers
four, six or 10. Some of these
numbers have remained the
same with legalization. If
you can grow only a limited
number of plants, grow as
big as you can. However,
commercial growers, even
microbusinesses, can
sometimes grow an unlimited
number of plants. This opens
up a lot of possibilities.
Growing a large plant takes
time, labor, energy and space.
The first stages of growth are
spent nurturing branch and
leaf infrastructure. These parts
of the plant are not harvested,
as only the flowers grown on
the branches during flowering
are used.
When figuring the cost of
the active ingredient, whether
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
or another cannabinoid, all
the costs must be taken into
account. This includes the cost
of getting the plants ready for
flowering.
There is a way to speed
up production and cut the
use of your time, energy
and labor: Remove growing
plant infrastructure from the
equation so the plants spend
more time flowering.
Usually, vegetating plants
grow until the canopy space

56

MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

is filled. These plants will keep
growing vegetatively as long as
they are provided with enough
light, about 18-24 hours daily.
Assuming you have enough
space and light, fill the canopy
with plants placed close
together, on 6-8 inch centers.
Once they are in place, grow
them vegetatively until they
have five to eight sets of leaves.
Using a timer, change the light
cycle to 12 hours on, 12 hours
off. Make sure not to interrupt
the dark period with any light
other than green because
it will interrupt the plants’
photoperiod regimen, which will
result in softer, smaller buds.
The plants will start
flowering within seven to
10 days. Some varieties
with sativa backgrounds
will continue to grow for a
while even as they flower,
doubling in height by ripening
time. Other varieties, mostly
with indica backgrounds,
slow vertical growth almost
immediately, growing about
20 percent taller.
The plantlets of most
varieties will not grow any
side branches once they are
in flowering regimen. Instead
they will put their energy into
producing flowers along the
stem that ripen into a single
bud, or just a few larger buds.
This technique can be
used indoors or out. Indoors
and under lights, it’s easy
to adjust the light regimen.
Outdoors and in greenhouses
use a blackout curtain for
light deprivation during the
summer. During the fall, winter
and early spring there is a
long enough dark period to
promote flowering.
With small plants you save
transplanting pruning, staking
and other laborious chores.
You also cut greenhouse shelf
time and save on manicuring,
because there are fewer buds,
which are larger and easier to
manicure. c

Indica-dominant hybrid clones
were set in 4” rockwool cubes
and placed under a HID light
using a 12/12 light/dark regimen.
Each produced a single big bud.

In Ketama, Morocco, male
plants are removed from the field
to feed the goats. In mid-July the
male plants’ flowers were opening
and the females were two weeks
into flowering. The seeds had
been broadcast and there were
10-15 plants per square foot.
By harvest time the males will
be desiccated, leaving half that
number of plants to be harvested.

Clones planted in a field in
Jamaica. Even during the summer
most imported varieties and
their hybrids start flowering early
because of the long nights. (On
June 22, the longest day of the
year, dawn to dusk, is 14 hours.)
Ten hours of darkness daily is long
enough to push many varieties
into flowering. The plants are
growing buds all along the central
stem, rather than branching.
These plants grew to three feet as
they produced flowers.

Plants were placed two per fivegallon container and were forced
to flower when they were about a
foot tall. Each plant grew a single
bud that stretched 10-12 inches.

Clones with about eight sets
of leaves, 10-12 inches tall were
spaced about a foot apart in 18”
wide rows. The rows were covered
late each afternoon so the plants
received only 12 hours of light
daily. They are near ripe in the
middle of July.

Small clones of Ed Rosenthal
Super Bud were placed in various
size containers and allowed to
flower under natural light in a
greenhouse beginning in midFebruary. They received only
a few hours of direct sunlight.
Nevertheless, eight weeks later they
are only a few days from harvest.
Close-up of an Ed Rosenthal
Superbud.

Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are
reserved. First North American Magazine
rights only are assigned to CULTURE
Magazine. No other reproduction of
this material is permitted without the
specific written permission of the author/
copyright holder.

CultureMagazine.com

MAY 2019

57

COLORADO NOW!
EVENT LISTINGS

David Sedaris, May 9
David Sedaris’ side-splitting
humor is what helped him
become one of the most
popular humorists in the
literary world through a
series of critically acclaimed
books and memoirs. His
self-depreciating personal
anecdotes usually revolve
around homosexuality, drugs
and his battles with obsessive
compulsive disorder.
Paramount Theatre,
Denver
paramountdenver.com

Colorado Chocolate
Festival, May 10-11
Pick up something sweet,
special and delicious for
your mother, just in time
for a last-minute Mother’s
Day gift. You can’t lose with
chocolate, because it’s one
of the few gifts you can give
that nearly all people enjoy,
and you might as well take
advantage of the festival and
grab some for yourself, too.
Denver Mart, Denver
cochocolatefests.com
7th Annual Mother’s Day
Eve Show + Dance Party,
May 11
Brought to you by The
Pump and Dump Show, the
7th Annual Mother’s Day
Eve Show is the “parentally
incorrect” comedy show that
regularly sells out tickets.
Join comediennes Tracey
Lee and Shayna Ferm for a
raw and honest look at the
struggles of being a mother
and parenting in general.
Paramount Theatre,
Denver
paramountdenver.com
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MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

Garbage, May 14
After producing critically
acclaimed albums like
Nirvana’s Nevermind,
Butch Vig decided to
perform some of his own
songs and form a band.
Fronted by Scottish singer
Shirley Manson, Garbage is
one of the best alternative
bands to come out of the
’90s grunge scene, and
the band still manages to
crank out albums to this
day.
Summit Music Hall,
Denver
summitdenver.com

featured event

THE ROLLING STONES, MAY 26

Tech N9ne, May 16
Aaron Dontez Yates is
better known as Tech
N9ne and brought the
chopper style of rapping
to the forefront of hiphop music. Last year, Tech
N9ne dropped his latest
album N9na on April 19,
which incredibly is his 21st
full-length studio album,
and there are no signs
that Tech N9ne is slowing
down.
Sunshine Studios Live,
Colorado Springs
sunshinestudioslive.com

Insane Clown Posse,
May 17
If you don’t know what
a Juggalo is, then don’t
ask—it’s probably not for
you. Horrorcore rappers
Violent J and Shaggy 2
Dope have been in the
game since the early ’90s,
and it shows through
their extensive catalogue
of music and cult-like
fan base that indulges

Galaxy High Sci-Fi Night,
May 18
At The Coffee Joint, you
can enjoy one of the few
places where you can
legally vape or dab in
Denver without looking
over your shoulder. To
ensure a psychedelic
experience, this particular
event will feature Mars
Attacks in HD on the
projector screen, which

Somehow Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of the
gang are still alive and kicking after over five solid decades
of partying. Jagger recently survived heart surgery, so of
course he’s already back on the road with the legendary
band that he’s been performing with since 1962.
Mile High Stadium, Denver
broncosstadiumatmilehigh.com
will definitely be better
combined with cannabis.
The Coffee Joint, Denver
thecoffeejointco.com
Iration and UB40, May 23
Santa Barbara, Californiabased reggae band
Iration will be joined by
the legendary hit-maker
UB40 from Birmingham,
England. Both bands can
be described as “sunshine
reggae,” a happier, lighter
form of reggae-based
music that has become its
own genre.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre,
Morrison
redrocksonline.com

CultureMagazine.com

MAY 2019

59

NEWS of the

WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT
ANDREWS MCMEEL

LEAD STORY—NEW
WORLD ORDER
In Raleigh, North Carolina,
residents of The Dakota
apartment complex
are stepping out a little
more confidently after
management engaged
the services of a company
called PawzLife. The
Raleigh News and Observer
reported on March 22 that
residents were growing
disgusted with the
amount of dog feces on
the sidewalks and green
spaces around the complex.
So management turned
to a high-tech solution:
Residents who own dogs

60

MAY 2019 CultureMagazine.com

are required to bring them
to a “pup party,” where
PawzLife collects their
DNA with a simple saliva
swipe and creates a “unique
DNA profile” for each dog.
The company then visits
the neighborhood to pick
up any stray poop, and
owners whose dogs are a
match with the poop DNA
are fined $100 per offense.
PawzLife owner Matthew
Malec said, “We are just
trying to make the Earth a
little bit better to live on.”
NOTHING BETTER TO DO
...
Traffic on a street in the
Koreatown neighborhood
of Los Angeles came to
a virtual stop as two cars
engaged in a legendary
standoff over a parking
space on April 1. Fox News
reported that Mariah Flores,
who was positioned across
the street, documented the

entire two-hour dispute
on Twitter, as the “black
car” and the “silver car”
jockeyed to parallel park
in one open spot along the
sidewalk. As horns honked
and tensions mounted, a
“plot twist” changed the
whole dynamic: The owner
of a third vehicle, parked in
front of the empty space,
left, leaving room for both
black and silver to park.
The drivers quickly settled
their vehicles in the spaces
but then sat in their cars
for some time. “Like are
they afraid of each other
or is it just awkward now?”
Flores wondered. Finally,
the driver of the silver car
emerged, prompting Flores’
comment, “SILVER takes
the gold.”
. . . And Too Much Money
to Do It With
A wealthy San Francisco
philanthropist, Florence

Fang, 84, is being sued by
the city of Hillsborough
over the “Flintstones”
home and grounds she
has created in the suburb.
The oddly shaped house
was built in 1976, and
Fang bought it in 2017.
Today it’s painted purple
and red, features a large
“Yabba Dabba Do” sign
near the driveway, and
Fang has added dinosaur
and mushroom figurines,
along with Fred Flintstone
himself, to the yard. “We
don’t like it when people
build things first, then
come in and demand
or ask for permission
later,” huffed Assistant
City Attorney Mark
Hudak, who told KTVU
Fang built without the
proper permits and the
property is subject to
code violations along with
offending the neighbors’
aesthetic sensibilities.

But Angela Alioto, Fang’s
attorney, said the home
is Fang’s “happy place.”
Fang doesn’t live in
the home but uses it
for entertainment and
charitable events. “She’s
had an incredible life, and I
think it’s wonderful that, at
84 years old, she has found
something that makes her
so happy,” Alioto told the
San Mateo Daily Journal.
Lauren Jenai, 47, cofounder (with her exhusband) of CrossFit, has
struck up a new romance
with an old flame: Franklin
Tyrone Tucker, also 47,
who resides at the Stock
Island Detention Center in
Florida, where he awaits
trial for first-degree murder
and armed robbery. Jenai
sold her CrossFit shares
for $20 million after her
divorce and now lives in
Portland, Oregon. She

and Tucker, childhood
friends, reconnected on
Facebook before Tucker’s
arrest, and she has risen
to his defense, offering
to put up his $1 million
bond (which was denied in
January) and hiring private
investigators for his case.
She has not been able to
see Tucker in person, but
they were enjoying video
visitation—until, by Jenai’s
admission, she “got a little
risque . . . I was touching
my boobs.” Her account
was suspended, so she
began using her mother’s
account, but it happened
again: “My boobs popped
out at some point, it
happens.” Tucker and Jenai
are scheduled to wed in
prison, and she told the
Daily Mail she won’t ask
him to sign a prenup: It
feels “a little inappropriate.
. . . I trust him. I love him.
My house is his house.”